Missing Center Crossmember and Jack Points

Knowingly, I recently bought a drivable 66 GT with a missing center crossmember and jack points. I assume that some rocker/sill work had been done and why these parts where omitted is a mystery. The car is in good condition with no signs of sagging or questionable gaps. The missing jack points is not my concern but the crossmember is. I will be adding in the crossmember asap. How much of a structural problem is it on a GT and anyone have experience installing one on a completed car?

Thanks for the help!

Dave

http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=7644

Inexpensive easily obtainable Part 24 looks not too hard to fit and it would stiffen up the car. Out of sight so someone like me could easily spot weld it in place in an afternoon. Drill lot of little holes in #24 ,mig/spot weld in place. I guess some one fitted new floors long ago and thought that they didn't need it. The doors must clunk a bit in the corners. What does 14 and 15 attach to. You know, the front part of the chassis, that the front suspension cross member attaches to. Hint hint..hire welder intermediately !!

The contact point of the missing crossmember to the front sidemember is boxed in and well attached to the floors.

Thanks,
Dave

I replace this piece on my 73 B. It wasn't too hard. Cut slots in floors and welded with a mig welder. You may have to get creative with the wiring harness because it is suppose to pass through the crossmember (or at least it did on mine). You can either cut and reattach all of the wires (in an area of the car that is exposed to the maximum amount of weather) or just run the wires tight to the underside of the crossmember which is what I did.

Mine had the middle chopped out so I had to remove the remaining chunks first. That was harder than installing the new one.

I was told mechanics often cut this crossmember out to ease removal of engine and transmission.

I think some people cut out that cross-member section to get out the trans without pulling the engine, it makes sense but I would not do it to my car.

Thanks for sharing!

What structural issues would there be without the crossmember on a GT?

Dave